Match-box.



R. E. LEE.

MATGH'BOX. APPLICATION IILED JULY 15, 1999.

Patented Apr. 26, 1910.

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ROBERT E. LEE, 0F LEE-MA, TEXAS.

MATCHBQX..

Specification of I. etters Pa-tent. Patented Apr, 26, 1910,

Application filed July 15, 1909. Serial No. 507,709.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT E. LEE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lima, in the county of Bandera and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in match boxes.

The object of my invention is to provide a match safe, so constructed that the matches can only be removed, one at a time.

Another object is to provide a match safe with an agitating means, whereby the matches will be shaken into proper position, at each descent of the impaling plunger.

WVith these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims with out departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a match box embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view thereof. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view.

In carrying out the object of my invention, I provide a base 10 with a centrally positioned rib 11, having the channel 12. Held upon the base 10, and against the rib 11, is a box or receptacle 13, having the inwardly converging walls 14, the top 15 of this receptacle having a lengthwise positioned access opening 16, registering with the lengthwise positioned channel 12, as shown. The top 15, is continued in a downward direction in the form of two channel plates 17, these two plates being held in resilient parallel spaced relation, each plate ending proximal to the channel 12, and provided with an inwardly directed lip, as shown at 18, and as clearly disclosed in Fig. 2. Extending through the box or receptacle 13, are the two similar securing screws 20, which enter the rib 11 to securely hold the box or receptacle to the base. Held proximal to said access opening 16 is the bracket 22, having the lower securing ears 23, and above being provided with the terminal ear 24, carrying the bolt 25, which bolt, in turn, pivotally supports the two similar cars 26, of a suitable sleeve 27, hav: ing the stop plate 28 provided with a centrally positioned aperture. Olamped within this sleeve 27, is the tube 9, which at its lower end is provided with the inwardly projecting flange 35, the remaining end of this tube being held to the stop plate 28 as disclosed in Fig. 3. As shown, the stop plate 28 has the inwardly directed pin 29. Extending through the tube 9, and the opening within the upper stop plate 28 is a plunger 30, having the operating handle 31 at its upper end, and the impaling head 32 at its lower end in the form of a fork. This plunger 30 is provided with the groove'33 within which is held the pin 29, so that this impaling fork is held in proper relation, relative to the channel 12. Resting upon the inwardly directed flange 35, and against the pin 34;, carried by the plunger .30, is the protractile spring 36, which normally insures the impaling fork 32 being held in its extreme upward position. The space between the impaling fork tines 32 is of such a size as to snugly receive a match, the distance between the channel plates 17 permitting the free movement of this impaling fork therebetween. The lips 18' at the end of these channel plates, however, extend inward, so that in each descent of this impaling fork 32, these lips are encountered to throw the two channel plates, which are of any suitable resilient material, outward. The plunger 30 is slidably carried within the tube 9, but is held against any rotary movement, while the sleeve 27 is pivotally held to the bracket 22.

In charging the box or receptacle the screws 20 are removed so that the matches may be fed into the receptacle, where they are held against the channel plates and the converging walls 14 of the receptacle. The space between the lower ends of these channel plates 17, and the channel 12 is of such a width, as to permit but one match escaping into the channel at a time. matches have been placed within the box or receptacle, as shown in Fig. 2, at each descent of the plunger, the impaling fork will contact wit-h the inwardly directed lip 12, and displace the resiliently held channel plates 17, so that these plates will agitate and shake the matches held thereagainst, in-

After the suring the matches being held in a loose position at all times. Should also the matches become bound within the receptacle, the jar imparted to the channel plates by the fork will dislodge the same.

From the foregoing it will be seen, that I provide a simply constructed positively operating match box, from which the matches can only be removed one at a time. The plunger 30 is carried downward against the tension of the spring 36, and can of course be readily tilted upon the bolt 25.

Having thus described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination,abase having a lengthwise positioned channel, a receptacle secured thereto having converging inner walls directed toward said channel, two resilient channel plates held in parallel spaced relation and extending from the edges of an access slot within said receptacle, each plate ending proximal to said channel in a curved lip said lips being directed toward one another, a bracket held proximal to said access slot, a sleeve having a perforated stop plate pivotally secured to said bracket, a tube having a flange at one end held within said sleeve and against said stop plate, a plunger passing through said tube and stop plate, and a spring secured to said plunger, said plunger having an impaling fork to contact with said lips, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination,abase having a lengthwise positioned channel, a receptacle secured thereto having converging inner walls directed toward said channel, a bracket held proximal to said access slot, a sleeve having a perforated stop plate pivotally secured to said bracket, a tube having a flange at one end and held within said sleeve and against said stop plate, a plunger passing through said tube and stop plate, and a spring secured to said plunger, said plunger having an impaling fork arranged to be carried into said channel, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a supporting bracket, of a sleeve having a stop plate provided with a centrally positioned orifice, ears projecting from said sleeve and pivotally secured to said bracket, a tube having a channel at one end frictionally held within said sleeve, a plunger passing through said tube, and a spring carried by said plunger working against said flange, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In combination, a base having a lengthwise positioned channel, a receptacle having converging inner walls directed toward said channel, two resilient channel plates held in parallel spaced relation extending from the edges of an access slot within said receptacle, each channel plate ending proximal to said channel in a curved lip, said lips being directed toward one another, means to connect said receptacle to said base, a bracket held proximal to said access slot, a sleeve having a perforated stop plate pivotally secured to said bracket, a tube having a flange at one end held within said sleeve and against said stop plate, a plunger passing through said tube and stop plate, and a spring secured to said plunger, said plunger having an impaling fork at one end, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT E. LEE.

Witnesses:

J. M. ADAMS, C. O. POWELL. 

